Young men's body dissatisfaction: A qualitative analysis of anonymous online accounts

Self-awareness and Social Influences as Predictors of Body Dissatisfaction and Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery for Social Reasons Among Men

BACKGROUND

Body dissatisfaction and the use of surgery for purely aesthetic reasons among men is steadily increasing. Nevertheless, compared to women, few studies have focused on specific sociocultural and individual factors predicting men's body dissatisfaction and interest in cosmetic surgery procedures. The present study investigated the role of media, significant others, public and private self-awareness in predicting men's body dissatisfaction and acceptance of cosmetic surgery for social reasons.

METHODS

Participants were 203 men (mean-age 24 years), who completed a questionnaire containing the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-4R, the Situational Self-Awareness Scale, the Muscular internalization subscale, the Male Body Attitudes Scale, and the Social subscale of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. A path analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The influence of significant others and public self-awareness predicted men's body dissatisfaction directly and indirectly, via muscularity internalization, while media was only directly associated with body dissatisfaction. A significant link between private self-awareness and body dissatisfaction was found. Moreover, media was not associated with cosmetic surgery either directly or indirectly and public self-awareness showed only a significant association with internalization.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide information about the role that self-awareness and sociocultural factor play on body dissatisfaction and acceptance of surgery for social reasons among men. The study highlighted the importance of designing preventive programs aimed at enhancing men's ability to resist various forms of pressure regarding body image and its management. Moreover, the advantages of focusing one's attention on internal states and feelings can limit body dissatisfaction and can discourage consideration of cosmetic surgery for social benefits.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

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When open data closes the door: A critical examination of the past, present and the potential future for open data guidelines in journals

Opening data promises to improve research rigour and democratize knowledge production. But it also presents practical, theoretical, and ethical considerations for qualitative researchers in particular. Discussion about open data in qualitative social psychology predates the replication crisis. However, the nuances of this ongoing discussion have not been translated into current journal guidelines on open data. In this article, we summarize ongoing debates about open data from qualitative perspectives, and through a content analysis of 261 journals we establish the state of current journal policies for open data in the domain of social psychology. We critically discuss how current common expectations for open data may not be adequate for establishing qualitative rigour, can introduce ethical challenges, and may place those who wish to use qualitative approaches at a disadvantage in peer review and publication processes. We advise that future open data guidelines should aim to reflect the nuance of arguments surrounding data sharing in qualitative research, and move away from a universal "one-size-fits-all" approach to data sharing. This article outlines the past, present, and the potential future of open data guidelines in social-psychological journals. We conclude by offering recommendations for how journals might more inclusively consider the use of open data in qualitative methods, whilst recognizing and allowing space for the diverse perspectives, needs, and contexts of all forms of social-psychological research.

Engagement with body image health promotion videos in adult men and women: differences between narrative, informational, and persuasive appeal approaches

BACKGROUND

Body dissatisfaction is a public health issue, however, low awareness of its seriousness, and stigma, may inhibit treatment seeking. The current study evaluated engagement with videos promoting awareness of body dissatisfaction using a persuasive communication approach.

METHOD

Men (n = 283) and women (n = 290) were randomly allocated to view one of five videos; (1) Narrative, (2) Narrative plus persuasive appeal, (3) Informational, (4) Informational plus persuasive appeal and (5) Persuasive appeal only. Engagement (relevance, interest, and compassion) was examined post-viewing.

RESULTS

Among both men and women, superior engagement ratings (in compassion for women, and relevance and compassion for men) were demonstrated for the persuasive appeal and informational videos relative to narrative approaches.

CONCLUSION

Videos using clear and factual approaches may promote engagement in body image health promotion videos. Further work should be done to examine interest in such videos specific to men.

A Qualitative Study on Young Men's Experiences of Intentional Weight-Gain

This qualitative study investigated how young men perceive their body image and experiences of purposively gaining weight, and what these reveal about broader sociocultural meanings around food, consumption and male body image. The participants in this study were a subsample of men participating in the 'GlasVEGAS' study which examined the effect of weight-gain and weight loss on metabolism, fitness and disease risk in young adult men. Twenty-three qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen men (mean age 23 years) at GlasVEGAS baseline (n = 10) and weight-gain (6-week) follow-up assessment (n = 13). Data were analysed using the principles of framework analysis. The majority of men viewed the foods provided as part of the GlasVEGAS study as 'luxury' items despite their being of low nutritional value. The weight-gain process prompted men to reflect on how cultural norms and social environments may amplify overeating. Several described being surprised at how quickly they assimilated unhealthy eating habits and/or gained weight. Some valued changes in their appearance associated with weight-gain, including appearing larger or having increased muscle size. These factors are vital to consider when developing weight management initiatives targeting young men, including the valorisation of unhealthy foods, wider social influences on diet and male body image ideals.

Embodying health behaviours in everyday life: the social and gendered practices of female senior managers

Objective: This article extends current theorising around health behaviours using insights from a study with women working in senior management positions in Switzerland. The study aimed to explore the meanings they attached to their everyday activities and examine implications for health and wellbeing by drawing on 1) social practices theory, 2) a socio-constructionist approach to gender, and 3) conceptualisations of embodiment.Design: Twenty female senior managers were interviewed at two time points six months apart: the first interview elicited highly-detailed, descriptive accounts of activities during the previous day, while in the second interview participants reflected on their previous accounts and discussed the meanings they ascribed to their activities. A thematic and narrative analysis of both sets of transcripts was conducted.Results: Three main themes captured the ways female senior managers talked about their everyday behaviours, all focused around their bodies: 'Functional bodies: Being on-the-go and meeting responsibilities'; 'Limiting bodies: Threats to everyday activities'; and 'Intentional bodies: Activities for wellbeing'.Conclusions: Results are considered in terms of contemporary postfeminist/neoliberal discourses in Western societies, how these are shaping and affecting everyday practices and subjectivities, and their consequences for women's health and wellbeing at work.

Men's reflections on their body image at different life stages: A thematic analysis of interview accounts from middle-aged men

This study investigates how men's body image develops over time. A total of 14 men aged between 45 and 67 years completed in-depth interviews where they discussed their body image since childhood, prompted in some cases by photographs of themselves at different ages that they brought to the interviews. Transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. From the participants' accounts, it was evident that body concerns did not steadily improve or worsen, but waxed and waned over time. Results are discussed in relation to understanding changing body concerns in men's lives, and the implications of these for future research and practice.